Railway-tie.



M. L. WASHBURNE. RAILWAY TIE.

APPLICATION FILED 13120.10. 1915.

Patentm Dec. 4, 1917.

MYRON 1'1. lVA-S BUBINE, 0F BOGKFALLS, ILLINOIS.

y RAILWAY-TIE.

raaasei.

Specification of Letters Patent.

JlPat-ented Dec: l; 19ft.

Application filed December 10, 1915. Serial No. 66,040.

certaln new and useful Improvements in Railway-Ties, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to railwayties of that class which are constructed of concrete, and one of the objects thereof is to provide a reinforcement means that will protect the tie from any breakage which ,might result from the weight and vibration of trains passing over the same, and associated with which reinforcement is a simple and efficient means for securing a rail in posi tion on the tie.

Another object of my invention is to have the tie self-adjusting, so that the tendency thereof will be to keep the upper face of the tie always in a level position, in case the tie settles deeper in the earth, and this is accomplished by the shape of the tie itself. The conformation of the lower face of the tie is such as to prevent obstacles in the earth from becoming lodged immediately beneath the same, so as to form a bearing on the under side of the tie and cause breakage thereof.

These and other purposes of my invention will more fully appear in the following specification, reference being had to the drawings accompanying the same, in which:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of a tie embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an end view thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross-section thereof through one of the bolt-retaining devices. Fig. 4: shows the reinforcement frame, in perspective.

1 represents a railroad tie, formed of concrete, of modified triangular form in crosssection, having a flat upper face and vertical walls 2 at each side thereof. The lower faces of the tie are at substantially a right angle with each other. Centrally of the tie 1 is a reinforcing frame comprising an upper bar 3 and a lower bar 4:, united at their ends by plates 5, all of such parts being by preference integrally united.

Beneath the bar 4 are two pairs of nuts 6, such bar being provided immediately above the same with openings 7, registering with the openings in said nuts, and the bar 3 is provided with similar perforations 8 registering with the openlngs 7. Extending upwardly from the bar ato the face of the tie are openings), permittingthe introduction of lag-bolts 10, which areseeured' in place by connection with the nuts 6. Beneath the heads of the bolts '10 are held; clips ll'which engage the flanges ofthe rails'12 on opposite sides thereof, and'hold the samefirmly in place on the tie.

Where iron and stone are in contact, with a'vibration of oneorother ofsuch parts, a

grindingand abrasion of the stone islikely to result, and to prevent any such action of the rails 12 uponthe tie 1 a pad'or cushion 13, formed of fiber or similar ma terial, is interposed between the rail and tie.

The tie is designed to be formed in molds of suitable shape, from cement in plastic form, a portion of the material being first placed in position and the nuts 6 located therein. The frame is then placed in position above said nuts and the rest of the tie formed, pins being placed in the openings in the frame to prevent the same being filled with cement and to form the openings 9. If desired the nuts 6 can be attached to the bar a to more quickly establish the position of such nuts in the mold, or the openings 7 can be threaded to receivethe bolts and the nuts dispensed with.

The reinforcing frame is preferably formed of strap metal, as shown herein, but it can be constructed of rods with suitable eyes for the passage of the bolts, or in other ways. The plates 5 are held solidl 7 against the ends of the tie and overcome any tendency of the bars 3 and 4: to move longitudinally of the tie, by reason of pressure can erted upon the face thereof. A greater resistance is thus giving greater strength and stability to the tie. The effect is similar to that of a truss support.

By reason of the lower face of the tie being formed of two inclined faces, meeting at a point centrally of the tie, any movement downward in the earth would be accompanied by a tendency to keep the upper face of the tie in a level position. This would be assisted by the vertical edges 2 thereof. In case a small boulder or other obstacle were encountered beneath the tie the sloping faces thereof would have a tendency to force it to one side, and it would not have such a bearing against the lower side of the tie as to cause breakage thereof upon weight being brought to bear upon the upper face of the presented to any such force,

tie. If the lower face of the tie were flat this might easily result.

If desired the nuts 6 can be located just beneath the bar 3, but greater strength is secured by placing them beneath the lower bar.

It is obvious that for the purpose of replacing rails, or parts of the rail holding devices, in case of breakage, the bolts 10 can be readily removed and replaced.

While my invention has been shown and described herein With special reference to its use as a railroad tie, it can by slight adaptation be employed for uses analogous thereto.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is:

1. A device of the class described, comprising a concrete railroad tie, and a reinforcing frame located therein, formed of Copies of this patent may be obtained for two spaced-apart bars disposed one above the other, and united at their ends by short plates bearing against the ends of the tie.

2. A device of the class described, comprising a concrete railroad tie substantially triangular in cross-section, a rectangular reinforcing frame located therein with its bars in a vertical plane, bolt-securing means located in said tie beneath the lower bar of said frame; and bolts adapted to pass through said frame and engage said boltsecuring means, and provided at their upper ends With rail-engaging devices.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MYRON L. VVASHBURNE.

Witnesses:

W. N. HASKELL, FRANK W. HAsKELL.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

